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Methodist hymn 161 (GBH 100), the ageless hymn entitled “Tell me the old, old story”, was written by Annabelle Catherine Hankey, an English missionary and nurse who was born in 1834; the daughter of a wealthy banker. 

Hankey was associated with the Clapham sect of William Wilberforce — a group of prominent evangelical Anglicans from the Clapham area which helped to establish the British and Foreign Bible Society, promoted the abolition of slavery, and was involved in improving the lot of England’s working classes. 

Hankey taught Bible classes for shop girls in London, visited the sick in local hospitals, and used the proceeds of her writings to support various mission causes. Hankey is best known for being the author of the poem “The Old, Old Story”, from which the hymns “Tell me the old, old story” and “I love to tell a story” were derived.

Please find the three stanzas of “Tell me the old, old story” below:

1 Tell me the old, old story 
Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, 
Of Jesus and His love.
Tell me the story simply, 
As to a little child;
For I am weak and weary, 
And helpless and defiled.

Refrain:
Tell me the old, old story;
Tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.

2 Tell me the story slowly, 
That I may take it in –
That wonderful redemption,
God’s remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often,
For I forget so soon;
The early dew of morning
Has passed away at noon. [Refrain]

3 Tell me the same old story
When you have cause to fear
That this world’s empty glory 
Is costing me too dear.
Tell me the story always,
If you would really be,
In any time of trouble,
A comforter to me. [Refrain]

“The Old, Old Story” was based on Mark 5:19.

READ Mark 5:15-19

“Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. 
And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, 

‘Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.’ ” (Mark 5:15-19 NKJV)

Jesus had come into the land of the Gadarenes, and was immediately confronted with a man with an unclean spirit, out of the tombs; an untameable and uncontrollable man who often broke the shackles and chains used to constrain him – The Madman of Gadara!

There was a conversation, in which the unclean spirit acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God and begged Jesus not to torment him. The spirit later said, 

“My name is Legion; for we are many.”(vv. 10)

Jesus later cast the demons into 2000 pigs which all got drowned! The people of the region (obviously displeased)  pleaded with Jesus to leave; but the man who had been demon- possessed pleaded for Jesus to stay. That was when Jesus told him:

‘Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.’ (vv. 19)

Jesus has done great things for us too! Jesus has had compassion on us too! What are we telling our friends?

There are many who think they are wealthy, and do not need or acknowledge Jesus Christ. It is a delusion! Catherine Hankey was born into wealth, but still recognized what Christ had done for her, and wrote “Tell The Old Old Story”. 

What has Christ done for you? Are you telling the story?
Please sing “Tell me the old old story” with me today.

MEMORY VERSE

“Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you.” (Mark 5:19)

QUESTIONS

1. What has the Lord down for you?

2. He wants you to tell the story to your friends. Have you done that?

PRAYER TIP

Father, thank you for your love and compassion. Please help me to tell the story to the world.

Written by:

BENNY MALM

For:

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